Review: Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles

Summary:

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

  

Reina's Review:

I know this book is just your ordinary high school love story. Perfect, rich girl meets rebellious bad boy. Boy then declares that he can make the girl fall for him, but ends up falling in love with her instead. Nothing new, but I still love this book and had fun reading it.

To the world, Brittany’s life seems perfect. She’s gorgeous, rich, and the quarterback is her boyfriend. In reality, she has problems at home. Her sister has a disorder, her Mom cares too much about appearances, and her Dad is rarely at home. Brittany only pretends to be the perfect girl everyone makes her to be. I really liked Brittany’s character. Although she is popular, she isn’t a bitch. She cares about her sister and she is good to her friends.

Our hero, Alex, is Mexican and a member of a gang. His father died when he was still a child, leaving him to help his mother provide food on the table. He lives in the poor side of town and tries to protect his family. But beneath the bad boy façade is a boy who has a good heart. (In short, he is just my type of man! Haha!) I grew fond of Alex, particularly when he started to have feelings for Brittany. His declaration of undying love towards the end was swoon-worthy!

The book is well-written but it’s quite predictable for a high school romance. However, I am a sucker for bad boys and I may or may not have read this again. I really found the epilogue cute, and I was delighted to learn that there is a sequel. I’m so excited to see these two again. Honestly, I didn’t want to be attached to this book, but I did anyway.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Review: The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders

Summary:

All Alessandro de Lucci wants from his wife is a son but after a year and a half of unhappiness and disillusionment, all Theresa de Lucci wants from her ice cold husband is a divorce. Unfortunate timing, since Theresa is about to discover that she’s finally pregnant and Alessandro is about to discover that he isn’t willing to lose Theresa.

Reina's Review:

I was drawn to this book because of the summary. After all, I’m a huge fan of romances with much angst and drama.

Alessandro was forced to marry Theresa because of a deal he made with the girl’s father. All this time, Alessandro thinks that Theresa had something to do with the agreement. What Theresa’s father wants in return is an heir, after which Alessandro can get rid of his wife.

Theresa fell in love with Alessandro the very first time they met. Unfortunately, he doesn’t love her and treats her like trash during their marriage. Just when she decides that she wants out of the marriage, she discovers that his husband will finally get the heir he desires.

Although the plot is good, I couldn’t say the same about how it was written. I don’t like it when an author repeats the same thing using the same words throughout the book. I had high hopes for this book in the beginning, but found myself disappointed as it was entirely written from Theresa’s point of view. Except for the conversations, the reader wouldn’t have any idea on what the hero really feels.

Rating: ☆☆

Review: Temptation (Temptation #1) by Karen Ann Hopkins

Summary:  

Your heart misleads you.
That's what my friends and family say.

But I love Noah.
And he loves me.

We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other's arms.

It should be

ROSE & NOAH

forever, easy.

But it won't be.

Because he's Amish.
And I'm not.

Reina's Review:

I actually enjoyed reading Temptation far more than I thought I would. I was hesitant at first to read it because the very few Amish books that I’ve read weren’t something to be excited about. But the good reviews and my inner fangirl of forbidden romances decided that I should give this a try. And boy, I’m glad I did.

Rose is your typical American teenage girl. She is beautiful, outgoing, loves to dance, and bickers with her older brother. Her life and everything that is familiar to her is about to change when her father chooses to move to Ohio, where she meets Noah.

Noah is an eighteen year old Amish, as handsome “as a Greek god”, and a huge gentleman. He has seven siblings and his father is a minister in the community. He is also at the age when he is expected to court and marry. Unfortunately, he isn’t attracted to any of the Amish girls. He is instead instantly smitten to Rose who was not only a temptation but also a breath of fresh air to him.

The protagonists’ attraction can’t be denied. The two occasionally meet in the woods as they both know that Noah’s family wouldn’t accept an outsider for him. Their romance blossoms and soon they fall hard and fast for each other. I couldn’t help but sigh while reading some moments between both of them. Noah is exactly what I picture a perfectly nice guy to be, sans being Amish.

I was afraid of the outcome of the relationship. Noah couldn’t leave his community. He has no education and he is afraid that he wouldn’t survive in the English world. Rose is also conflicted. As much as she loves Noah, she has a family and she tries to imagine what it would be like to live without the material conveniences.

Overall, Temptation is an okay read. There is no heavy drama. The story is narrated from both protagonists' points of view, which I prefer. The heroine is not infuriating and the hero is charming. Although I enjoyed reading this, I honestly couldn't imagine one of them leaving the life (s)he's ever known just for some teenage romance. But anyway, I like the book enough (and I'm curious to know what happens next) that I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. 

Rating: ☆☆☆